The Taipei Cycle Show provided an up-close look at Giant's new aero road helmet(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
A built-in bungee cord system will make the new helmet goggle-friendly(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
As is the norm for this segment, there's a generous amount of coverage around the back of the head(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Huge gaps at the forehead should let plenty of air through to help keep that area cool - and dry(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Giant will also soon release a new high-performance trail/enduro helmet that looks to offer very good coverage but also potentially excellent ventilation(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
While it appears that the lower part of the helmet is left completely exposed, the edge is actually protected by a bit of thinshell material(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
By the looks of things, Giant will also offer a women-specific version under the Liv brand(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Fixed strap splitters and thin-gauge webbing should be comfortable against your skin(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The aesthetics certainly won't suit everyone but these sorts of shapes are sure to gain more mainstream acceptance as they get increasingly common(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Some aero road helmets are rather uncomfortable in hot weather. This one looks like it might be alright(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The rear vents are notably bigger than the front ones, which could potentially help actively 'pull' air through the helmet to both increase ventilation and reduce drag(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Like most aero road helmets, Giant's new lid sports a very closely cropped profile(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Generous venting at the front and rear of the helmet, deep internal channeling, and big cutouts around the forehead all bode well for cooling(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
The big visor is adjustable for angle(Image credit: James Huang/BikeRadar)
Giant isn't launching its new high-performance helmet range for a few weeks but two of the new models were on display at the Taipei Cycle Show. We got up close and personal with the aero road and trail helmets, and both look very promising. Given Giant's knack for offering excellent value across the board, we anticipate the pricing to be good, too.
BikeRadar first spotted these helmets at the 2015 Tour Down Under, along with prototype Bontrager aero helmets.
Like many other aero road helmets, Giant's version features a close-fitting profile with a dramatically cropped and rounded tail so as not to act like an air brake in the wind. Although the exterior of the helmet's midsection is left solid to minimise drag, there are huge vents at the very front and rear. Also visible are big cutouts in between the helmet and the rider's forehead – which will hopefully cut down on sweat dripping into sunglass lenses – and deep internal channeling, all of which bodes well for ventilation.
Giant's new aero road helmet sports a very trim profile
Out back is a height-adjustable retention system with a simple indexing knob to set the circumference while the notably thin straps feature fixed splitters that simplify the fit and minimize bulk around the ears.
Ventilation looks to be quite good on Giant's new aero road lid
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On the off-road side, Giant will soon release a new trail/enduro helmet with lots of rear coverage for added protection. Ventilation looks very good for the segment with big ports scattered throughout the shell plus internal channels that extend all the way down the front edge of the expanded EPS liner that should help keep your forehead cool and dry. A built-in strap retainer suggests the new helmet will be goggle-friendly, too.
The new trail/enduro helmet looks quite well ventilated, too - and like the aero road model, this one will be offered in men's and women's versions
Giant isn't talking to the media about the new helmets so we'll have to wait until the official launch for additional details. As such, retail pricing, claimed weight and availability – not to mention the helmet names – are still to be determined.
